UK anaesthesia basic sciences, from an anaesthetics and ICU background.
Primary FRCA
ready.
A grounded single best answer MCQ bank modelled on the Primary MCQ, a Structured Oral simulator with voice mode, spaced-repetition flashcards, and UK study notes across 384 syllabus-mapped learning objectives. Grounded in NICE, RCoA and DAS, not Australian guidance.
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Primary FRCA exam dates 2026 to 2027
Published windows for the current sittings. Always confirm against the official RCoA Primary FRCA examination pages before scheduling, as the College updates dates through the year.
- Primary MCQ (written)3 Sep 2026, 2 Nov 2026 and 26 Feb 2027, online via TestReach
- OSCE and SOE (clinical)w/c 16 Nov 2026, w/c 1 Feb 2027 and w/c 17 May 2027, in person at the College
- MCQ application window (Sep 2026)25 May to 15 Jul 2026 (online)
- MCQ pass validityA pass counts towards OSCE and SOE eligibility for three years
You must pass the MCQ before you can apply for the OSCE and SOE, which are taken together at the College.
What the Primary FRCA tests
How candidates prepare for the Primary FRCA
The Primary FRCA MCQ is 90 single best answer questions over three hours, delivered online, split broadly across 30 pharmacology, 30 physiology and biochemistry, and 30 physics, clinical measurement and data. PRIMEX questions use the same five-option single best answer format across the syllabus. Every option carries a grounded explanation, so you learn why the distractors are wrong, not only which answer is right. You must pass the MCQ before you can apply for the OSCE and SOE, so the written paper is where preparation starts.
- Five-option single best answer, the current Primary MCQ format
- Balanced across pharmacology, physiology and physics with clinical measurement
- Grounded per-option explanations and an examiner tip on every question
- No negative marking, one mark per correct answer, as in the real paper
- Questions written for UK practice: NICE, RCoA, DAS and UK drug names
The Primary FRCA SOE is a spoken exam in two 30-minute sections: one covering pharmacology and physiology with biochemistry, one covering clinical topics with a critical incident, physics and clinical measurement, equipment and safety, marked by two examiners. The PRIMEX simulator runs structured stations in that shape, expects UK basic-science answers with specific values and mechanisms, and follows up on vague answers the way a real examiner would. Voice mode lets you practise speaking the answer rather than typing it.
- Structured stations modelled on the two-section SOE format
- Opens on a basic-science or clinical prompt, then probes for depth
- Expects UK values, mechanisms and current guidance
- Voice mode: speak your answers, no typing needed
- Debrief flags the safety and critical-incident points examiners look for
Study notes covering the Primary FRCA syllabus, mapped across 384 learning objectives in 26 sections. Written for UK anaesthesia and grounded in NICE, the Royal College of Anaesthetists, the Difficult Airway Society and UK approved drug names throughout. Notes surface alongside MCQ and oral practice, so you move from a question to the relevant note in one step.
- A distinct note for each of the 384 mapped learning objectives
- UK guidance and drug names, not Australian or New Zealand framing
- Consistent, scannable structure rather than a wall of text
- Full-text search across every note
- Linked from MCQ and oral practice
11,471 flashcards with spaced repetition across the Primary FRCA syllabus. Card types include mechanism, drug profile, pharmacokinetics, normal values and physics principles, all in UK terms. Review what you are forgetting, not what you already know, and jump from any card to the full study note.
- 11,471 cards mapped across the Primary FRCA syllabus
- Spaced repetition: review what you are forgetting, not what you know
- Card types: mechanism, drug profile, pharmacokinetics, values, physics
- One tap from any card to the full study note
- Written for UK anaesthesia basic sciences
The Primary FRCA syllabus defines the learning objectives you are examined on. PRIMEX maps the syllabus into 384 learning objectives across 26 sections, tied to the notes, flashcards and questions that cover them, with per-section progress and a countdown to your exam date. The readiness view combines coverage with accuracy, so you can see what to study next rather than guess.
- 384 learning objectives mapped across 26 sections
- Per-section progress and a days-to-exam countdown
- Readiness combines coverage with accuracy
- Study this next: the topic queued for today, one tap to open
Primary FRCA format: MCQ, OSCE and SOE
The Primary FRCA is the basic-science gateway of UK anaesthesia training, set by the Royal College of Anaesthetists. It has three components: a Single Best Answer MCQ, an OSCE and a Structured Oral (SOE). You must pass the MCQ before you can apply for the OSCE and SOE, which are taken together at the College. PRIMEX is built by Dr Jay Marshall, who trained in anaesthesia and intensive care.
PRIMEX currently covers the MCQ and the Structured Oral, with study notes and flashcards across the full syllabus. A dedicated OSCE station bank is on the roadmap.
- OrganiserRoyal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA), UK
- MCQ (written)90 single best answer questions over three hours, online via TestReach: broadly 30 pharmacology, 30 physiology and biochemistry, 30 physics, clinical measurement and data. One mark each, no negative marking. Must be passed first
- OSCEUp to 16 live stations in a circuit, in person at the College: 1 minute reading then 5 minutes per station, each marked out of 20
- SOEA structured oral in two 30-minute sections covering pharmacology, physiology, clinical topics, a critical incident, physics and equipment: 12 questions, two examiners, marked 2, 1 or 0
- Exam feesRCoA, 2026 to 2027: MCQ £420 per sitting; OSCE and SOE together £775 (OSCE £420, SOE £380). Confirm current fees with the College
- Pass rateRCoA publishes per-sitting reports. Recent MCQ: UK trainees about 88% first attempt, all candidates about 72% (Feb 2026). OSCE and SOE about 73% UK first attempt, 61% all candidates (May 2026)
Everything for the Primary FRCA, in one place.
A grounded single best answer MCQ bank, a Structured Oral simulator with voice, spaced-repetition flashcards and UK study notes across 384 learning objectives. Free for 7 days, then from A$44.99/month.
Start free trial, 7 days free Cancel anytime · no commitmentCommon questions about the Primary FRCA
Specialist pricing and 7-day free trial
Specialist unlocks every PRIMEX exam track: the specialist pathways, AMC and Medical Student. Every study tool is included, with no per-feature paywalls.
- ✓ Every PRIMEX exam track
- ✓ Flashcards with spaced repetition & MCQ drill
- ✓ Study notes for every curriculum topic
- ✓ Structured Oral simulator with voice
- ✓ Study plan with pace tracking
- ✓ Curriculum tracker & readiness insights
- ✓ Every PRIMEX exam track
- ✓ Flashcards with spaced repetition & MCQ drill
- ✓ Study notes for every curriculum topic
- ✓ Structured Oral simulator with voice
- ✓ Study plan with pace tracking
- ✓ Curriculum tracker & readiness insights
- ✓ Every PRIMEX exam track
- ✓ Flashcards with spaced repetition & MCQ drill
- ✓ Study notes for every curriculum topic
- ✓ Structured Oral simulator with voice
- ✓ Study plan with pace tracking
- ✓ Curriculum tracker & readiness insights
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